Nothing but the Night

About this book

First published in 1948 Nothing but the Night marked the auspicious beginning of John Williams career as a novelista career that would go on to include the classics Stoner and the National Book Award winning Augustus. In the person of Arthur Maxley Williams investigates the terror and the waywardness of a man who has suffered an early traumatic experience. As a child Maxley witnessed a scene of such violence and of such a nature tat the evocation of Greek tragedy is inescapable. now years later we move through a single significant day in the grown Arthur Maxleys life the day when he is to meet his father who has been absent for many years. With rare economy and clarity the story moves at an ever-increasing pace to its unforgettable end.